And that would be at J Wine Company, on Saturday, September 17, 2011, for their 25th Anniversary celebration.

Pinot Gris Jo is Born

As we were leaving, Jose and I headed over to the Pinot Gris & Oysters on the Half Shell tent. The 2010 J Vineyards Pinot Gris from Russian River Valley was being poured, coupled with Hog Island Oysters and Heirloom Tomato, Pesto shaved Parmigiano Reggiano (prepared by Executive Chef Mark E. Caldwell). While Jose was sampling the oysters, I went over to the wine table and asked to taste the Pinot Gris (delicious with bright acidity). A member of the staff happily poured the wine, and I headed back to Jose. He asked me, “Did you get the Pinot Gris, Jo.” I said, “No, I got the Pinot G-r-i-s,” very heavy emphasis on the Gris… To which Jose responded, “I didn’t say ‘Pinot Grigio.’ I said, ‘Pinot Gris, Jo.'” We both looked at each other and burst out laughing.

[It is so much fun to attend events with Jose. It’s so much fun to go through life with him, 35 years later…]

Back to the 25th anniversary celebration of all that Judy Jordan has been able to accomplish, which is a lot; a lot of class and a lot of style in Russian River Valley. She was a most gracious host in her Bubble Room, where we also met their winemaking team of Melissa Stackhouse and Claude
Thiebaut. Melissa is today’s vice president of winemaking, and Claude is returning to the team, being J’s original winemaker. This says a lot about the company, in my estimation.

Meanwhile, rather than giving you lots and lots of words, Jose and I were busy clicking our cameras, and I’m going to let the YouTube video that I just produced allow you to have been there. Get yourself a glass of bubbly, preferably J for this one, and enjoy!

Jo, WOW!!!!! You really wrote a beautiful story about our 25th Anniversary Celebration, the video stills are amazing, you really captured all the highlights and beautiful moments of the day. You are amazing! Thanks for attending; we are much honored you were here to share in this special event.

Elisa, you guys created all the photo ops, I just recorded what I saw, from beginning to end. Thanks for complimenting my video skills. They take about five hours to produce, and I do it for the joy of creating. I still feel inept when putting images together, though, so it’s good to know that my images are/were enjoyed. I was the one honored to be there. I feel so fortunate to have integrated so well with wine country… Maine-ah that I am.